Playoff Putbacks: How the Knicks can bounce back

May 6, 2013
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New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) puts up a shot over Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) during the first half of game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. / Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

However, one thing stands above the rest as something the Knicks will have to correct.

It's difficult to win a playoff game while being outrebounded by 20.

The Pacers, led by Hibbert, Lance Stephenson and George Hill, won the battle of the boards 44-24. Anthony collected 11 rebounds, but no other Knick had more than five. Starting center Tyson Chandler had three. Bench enforcer Kenyon Martin, whose primary responsibility is rebounding, had two.

Make no mistake: despite this series-opening loss at home, the Knicks are certainly talented enough to beat the Pacers. When Anthony and Chandler run the pick-and-roll, New York's offense is very difficult to stop. The Pacers have the toughest defense in the NBA, and Hibbert and Paul George did an outstanding job denying Anthony of the shots he likes best.

Figuring out a way around Indiana's lockdown defense is the ultimate key to the Knicks winning this series. A start will be staying competitive on the glass. Judging from Sunday's performance, they have a long way to go before they get there.

KD goes off: Slowly but surely, Kevin Durant is adjusting to being the focal point of an offense without Russell Westbrook. The Oklahoma City Thunder were outplayed for much of Sunday's game by the Memphis Grizzlies, but Durant's 35 points and a game-winning floater with 11 seconds remaining sealed a 93-91 series-opening victory.

The highs and lows of Quincy Pondexter: Grizzlies backup small forward Quincy Pondexter hit a third-quarter buzzer-beater from halfcourt, and bricked two of three free throws in the final seconds that would have tied the game for Memphis. Hard to do much better or much worse.

Next up:

The other two second-round series begin Monday (all times p.m. Eastern).